SoundCheck: R. Kelly, Rusted Root, Chris Brown, Vibe Festival

By Carole Giambalvo, Times Correspondent
In Print: Thursday, November 26, 2009

With Pleasure P Details: 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts (Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center), 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. $53. (813) 229-7827. Hardly subtle but consistently silky, R. Kelly songs just have a way of wooing. They are so slick that we are willing to forgive lyrics like, “You remind me of my Jeep, I want to ride it” (You Remind Me of Something). And yeah, he just compared a woman to his off-road vehicle. The controversial king of modern R&B (acquitted on child pornography charges in 2008) has built his 17-year career on window-fogging slow jams, salacious pop songs and one inspirational smash, I Believe I Can Fly. His ninth studio album, Untitled, is due in December. Opener Pleasure P is a Florida native and a former member of the teen group Pretty Ricky.

[R. Kelly]

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Rusted Root

Details: 9 p.m. Friday. State Theatre, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $26. (727) 895-3045.

If peace, love and pennywhistles are your bag, Rusted Root is a must-see. The neo-hippie act had a hit in Send Me On My Way in the mid '90s, but has since become revered for its live show. Vibrant and slightly spiritual, the performances are chock-full of tribal percussion and scat singing. Stereo Rodeo, Rusted Root's first album in seven years, features a Latin-flavored cover of Elvis Presley's hit Suspicious Minds.

Chris Brown

Details: 8 p.m. Tuesday. House of Blues Orlando, 1490 E Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista. $27-$30. (407) 934-2583.

Before Chris Brown assaulted then-girlfriend Rihanna in February, critics and fans were hailing him as "the next Michael Jackson." Now it's tough to say if Brown, a talented pop artist with dazzling steps, will ever bounce back. Ticket sales for his "Fan Appreciation Tour" have been pretty dismal, which begs the question once more: What was he thinking?

Vibe Festival

Featuring David Guetta, Roger Sanchez, Robbie Rivera, DJ Dan, Nic Fanciulli, Pedro M, Carlos Mendoza, DJ Mondo, Leo Montoya, Coro, DJ Santana, more

Details: 1 p.m. Sunday. Vinoy Park, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. $45. vibe-tampa.com.

For those who attended the John Santoro-organized Sunset Festival at Vinoy Park a few years back, Vibe Festival might come as a welcome surprise. The nine-hour electronic music event features top French house DJ David Guetta, whose recent collaborations with Akon and Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland have spawned radio hits Sexy Chick and When Love Takes Over (respectively).

Black Friday at Fubar

Featuring the Gleaming Amoebas, the Future Now, Matt Ayo, Alexander and the Grapes, Only Monsters

Details: 9 p.m. Friday. Fubar, 658 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $4; myspace.com/fubardowntown.

Apparently, Black Friday isn't just a premier shopping day. Local promoters and bar owners tell us that the night after Thanksgiving is one of their biggest, too. Fledging St. Pete venue Fubar has a big evening in store, hosting excellently unkempt rock trio Gleaming Amoebas of St. Pete, engaging folk-pop band Alexander and the Grapes of Dunedin, and Nirvana-evoking alt-rockers the Future Now of Gainesville.

Times correspondent Carole Giambalvo can be reached at carole.giambalvo@gmail.com.

Also playing

Skanksgiving: Fri. 5 p.m. Featuring Chilled Monkey Brains, Johnny Cakes, Sweet Kings, Victims of Circumstance, Long Johns, AA Dropouts, Paranoia Dance Party, Only Right Left, Variety Workshop. Gasoline Alley, 14042 66th St. N, Largo. $10. (727) 532-0265.

Jimi Hendrix Birthday Experience: Fri. 9 p.m. Featuring Purple Haze. Encore (formerly Frankie's Patio), 1920 E Seventh Ave., Ybor City. $10; facebook.com/encoreon7th.

A Tribute to Hip-Hop: Sat. 10 p.m. Featuring DJ Fader, DJ SPS, the Rukus, Mike Mass, more. Crowbar, 1812 N 17th St., Ybor City. $5. (813) 241-8600.

Southern Swaggfest: Sat. 8 p.m. Featuring Plies, Trina, Javon Black. Lakeland Center Jenkins Arena, 701 W Lime St., Lakeland. $51.36-$132.70. (863) 834-8100.

Designated Driver Awareness Concert: Sat. 6 p.m. Featuring Sobriety X, Thrown Alive, Rubix Cubed, Blind Rage, Johnny G. Lyon Band, LoudMouth, more. L.A. Hangout, 16411 N Florida Ave., Lutz. (813) 964-5631.

Thomas Wynn and the Believers: Sat. 8 p.m. With Shak Nasti. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa. $7-$10. (813) 971-0666.

'60s Rock Concert: Sat. 7 p.m. Featuring Monday Monday (Mamas & the Papas tribute and more). Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, 105 N Bayshore Drive. $10-$15. (727) 726-1161.

The Cadillac Bombers:

Sat. 8 p.m. With Blind Buddy Moody. Two Buks, 1915 N Hercules Ave., Clearwater. (727) 442-0812.

Damon Navari: Sat. 9:30 p.m. With Mojo Drangonfly. Extraordinair Hookah Lounge, 2481 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. (727) 725-4340.

[Last modified: Nov 25, 2009 03:30 AM]

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